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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Queen Elizabeth II Dies At 96, Charles Becomes King; Former Royal Photographer Jayne Fincher Remembers Working With Queen Elizabeth II; Justice Department Appeals Special Master Ruling For Trump Docs. Aired 9-10p ET

Aired September 08, 2022 - 21:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[21:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Looking, right now, Buckingham Palace, in London's early overnight hours. People, though far fewer in number, are still showing up, at this hour.

The embodiment, as CNN's Max Foster, put it, earlier in the program, of a nation slightly lost, after the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, at age 96, at Balmoral Castle, earlier today, in Scotland.

She was, as many have said, the only monarch, most Britons have known. And, after 70 years of service, she may have also been the first British monarch, most Britons have known, in a more familiar less regal sense.

The first modern-day monarch and the first to usher in the modern United Kingdom, easing the transition, as CNN's Christiane Amanpour said, tonight, from a Grand Britain, of her early childhood, to the Great Britain, we know today.

Her passing, today, was announced, in no great fanfare, just a simple frame message, at Buckingham Palace. It read, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

No sooner than that message came, we saw a demonstration, of the remarkable continuity of royal succession, people outside the palace, singing the National Anthem of the country, with "God Save the Queen," replaced from here, until the end of Charles the Third's reign, by "God save the King."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(VIDEO - CROWD SINGING "GOD SAVE THE KING" FOLLOWING QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S DEATH)

God save the king!

Send him victorious, Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us;

God save the king!

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: It was a seven-decade reign that ended today. And certainly, this moment was long-anticipated and, planned for, certainly. But there is even a name for the procedures being followed, Operation London Bridge, which can certainly eases - can help ease the transition, but it cannot begin to acknowledge, let alone honor, 70 years of public service, or 70 years of public affection.

More on that now, from CNN's Max Foster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Britain's Queen Elizabeth the Second crowned at Westminster Abbey, on June the 2nd, 1953.

This was the first time, the public was able to witness this sacrosanct moment. Elizabeth had allowed live television cameras in, to capture it, in a powerful signal that this was a new, open and relevant monarchy.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, known as Lilibet, to friends, was born on April the 21st, 1926. It was only a decade later that she knew she was truly destined, to lead an empire. It was a fluke of history, a work of scandal.

EDWARD VIII, FORMER KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor.

[21:05:00]

FOSTER (voice-over): Her uncle, Edward, abdicated, to marry the love of his life, Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, and therefore spoiler to the throne.

Elizabeth's father became king. She was the accidental heir, which entrenched in her a sense of duty. She was devout, almost spiritual, about her responsibilities, as a royal, even before being crowned.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

QUEEN MARGRETHE II, DENMARK: I seem to remember having - having listened to that speech, and remember - I remember very well, I certainly remember reading it not solely, but not many years later, the way she dedicated her life to the country. And that was an example, which I very much felt that when I grew older that that was - that was what it was about. You dedicate your life to your country.

FOSTER (voice-over): On November the 20th, 1947, she wed her childhood sweetheart, the tall and dashing Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, titled The Duke of Edinburgh. The following year, their marriage bore Elizabeth's heir, Prince Charles.

For more than half a century, the Queen led her Empire, before overseeing its managed decline, as it became known as the Commonwealth. An association of now independent countries.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir Winston and Lady Churchill came to receive Her Majesty.

FOSTER (voice-over): Her first prime minister was Winston Churchill. During her rule, she met every acting U.S. president bar one, meetings that she always prioritized.

ROBERT HARDMAN, AUTHOR, "OUR QUEEN": She remembers learning from her parents, how important keeping America on side was, during the war, and then America came into the war. She remembers that so well. She remembers, you know, the American troops D day, all that. To her, it's very - it's a very important part of her growing up.

FOSTER (voice-over): Whilst the British monarch has no political power, Elizabeth wielded immense power, as a figurehead, as demonstrated in 2011, when she became the first monarch, to visit neighboring Ireland, since its separation, from the United Kingdom.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: We can all see things which we would wish.

FOSTER (voice-over): Then Prime Minister David Cameron described the trip as a game-changer in Anglo-Irish relations.

A year later, the Queen traveled to Belfast, in another significant moment, of her reign, an historic handshake with former IRA commander, Martin McGuinness, a public symbol of peace, following decades of conflict, in Northern Ireland.

There was nonetheless a very private side to this wife, mother and grandmother. Stiff upper-lipped in public, and so guarded, there's little footage to show the sense of humor she's reputed to have displayed behind closed doors.

On occasion, she did open up with uncharacteristic candor and emotion. The Queen herself marked 1992 as a very bad year.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: It has turned out to be an "Annus Horribilis."

FOSTER (voice-over): Punctuated by several family splits, and a fire, at her beloved Windsor Castle.

Three of her four children would divorce, Charles most famously. And then that crash.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are just getting word that the French government has informed all of us that Princess Diana has died. FOSTER (voice-over): The Royal Family's restrained response collided with a British public convulsing in heartache. Elizabeth learned a tough lesson through all of the grief. She wasn't merely a mother or a grandmother, rather a queen to her people, no matter what.

An enduring image, the Queen bowing her head, to Princess Diana's coffin, marking a sad period, for the Royal Family, Britain, and its relationship with the Monarchy.

Over more than a decade, however, public faith in the Royal Family did rebuild. The Queen was visibly thrilled, by the show of support, for the royal wedding, between her grandson, William and, partner, Kate, in 2011.

Then, the following year, polls showed the British Royal Family, at the height of their popularity, as the Queen celebrated 60 years on the throne. She used her diamond jubilee to present a slimmed-down monarchy, only the key Royals paraded, and waved, a sign of a more economic family, for the 21st Century.

In later years, the Queen welcomed several additions, to the family, including Prince George, her first great grandson, and future heir to the throne. Born in 2013, to the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

[21:10:00]

Reflecting the modern age, Prince Harry later married Meghan Markle, the Royal Family extending again, to embrace an actress, with African American ancestry, in time, welcoming Baby Archie.

Prince Philip retired from public duties, in 2017. Meanwhile, the Queen continued indefatigable. She gradually slowed her busy schedule, certainly in terms of travel.

But, in September 2015, whilst opening a new railway, in Scotland, without ceremony, or commemorative fireworks, Queen Elizabeth the Second passed her revered predecessor, Victoria, to become Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

Controversy, visited the family again, in 2019, as the Queen's second son, Prince Andrew gave an ill-advised interview, to the BBC, amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

PRINCE ANDREW, DUKE OF YORK: I let the side down.

FOSTER (voice-over): Any hopes for a quieter year ahead, were dashed, when Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made a shocking announcement, at the start of 2020.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the last time they'll be walking into the--

FOSTER (voice-over): Giving up their public roles and duties, they moved to North America, with a mission, to become financially- independent. Crisis talks and another contentious interview soon followed. In 2021, at the age of 99, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away. Senior Royals attended the funeral, scaled back due to Coronavirus, to celebrate his seven decades of service, and mourn the passing of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We therefore pray.

FOSTER (voice-over): Elizabeth stood alone, as she watched his coffin lower, into the Royal Vault in Windsor.

(MUSIC)

FOSTER (voice-over): Bidding farewell, to her husband, of 73 years, the man she described as her strength and stay.

She will be remembered as one of the great monarchs, able to hand a strengthened crown to her heir, despite reigning over a period of tumultuous change.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: And Max Foster joins us now, from Buckingham Palace.

And at Number 10 Downing Street, CNN Senior International Correspondent, Matthew Chance.

Max, the arrangements, for when the Queen dies, have been in the works, for decades, and reworked. What happens next? And when do we expect her funeral, to take place, or to be announced?

FOSTER: We think the funeral will be in just under two weeks' time. There is a plan in place. I've seen versions of it. It has to all be signed off again, by the King now. And all of the intricacies will be played out, over the next few days.

It's a huge logistical operation. Even around us, there's all sorts of building work going on. So each - they take each day at a time as it were. And they're confirming details, as they are able to confirm them.

I expect Prince Charles, as he was, King Charles and Queen Camilla, to come to London, tomorrow. And there will be a pre-recorded address to the nation, which will be played out at prime time, U.K. time tomorrow. Imagine having to do that the day after your mother died. But that really speaks to the fact that this isn't just a family. This is a national institution.

And the King now has duties to his nation, as well too, as to his family. And we're going to get a sense of what sort of monarchy, he plans ahead, as well. He redefined the role of Prince of Wales, by making it - professionalizing it effectively, working full-time, incredibly hard.

I have to say he's the hardest-working Royal. And I've spent a lot of time with him, and he doesn't stop, works late into the night, on his projects. He's going to have to leave all those projects behind, and focus on being king now, and focusing on all of those constitutional duties, which will take priority.

We're going to see a different Charles now, I think, someone who doesn't express his opinions, and models himself, on the Queen, who's so successfully made herself relevant, to so many people, by never dividing opinion, by never expressing emotion, and always putting the country first, duty first, something that's going to be incredibly hard for him to live up to.

COOPER: Matthew, we heard from Britain's new Prime Minister, Prime Minister Truss, today. What did she say?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I mean, it's a difficult situation that she's been put in. Remember, she's only been in the job, for two days.

And she was the - effectively one of the last people, to see Queen Elizabeth, before she died, and is that - that incredible photograph, of the two of them, together, the last photograph that's been put out by Buckingham Palace, of the Queen, swearing in her 15th Prime Minister, and that was just back on Tuesday.

And so, yes, a difficult challenge for any prime minister, let alone one that's only been in the job, for two days.

[21:15:00]

But she made a start of it, today. She came out here, Number 10 Downing Street, her official residence, and office, and made a very brief statement, in tribute to the Queen, talking about how she was an inspiration, to her, and to millions of people, around the world, but also welcoming the new era, the end of the what she called, the Second Elizabethan Era, and welcoming the new King Charles the Third.

But, there was a plan, as Max was saying, in place. It's been developed since the 1960s. And so, that's one thing that is in the favor, of this new Prime Minister, the plan he's already made, with some changes that have to be adjusted, perhaps, but essentially, she has to stand back, and allow that to happen.

And I guess the other thing in her favor is that, one of the great legacies, I think, of Queen Elizabeth, is that the Monarchy in this country is so strong. And it is not controversial at all, that the succession should be automatic, and that King Charles the Third, should be the head of state of this country. And so that's - it's not a constitutional crisis that is facing this prime minister.

COOPER: Yes.

CHANCE: It's been a very smooth, automatic, handover.

COOPER: And Max, the Royal Family, obviously, on a personal level, there have been many divisions. There have been obviously, the situation with Harry, Prince Andrew, as well. They are all still, as I understand, gathered at Balmoral, tonight. Is there any sense of will this somehow change the family dynamics? Does this hold the possibility of somehow mending the rift between William and Harry?

FOSTER: I think it'd be very heartening for her to see what happened today, to see Prince William, driving next to Prince Andrew, and also followed up by Prince Harry, coming later on, all the family being together. I mean, major rifts in the family.

And when you consider that it's a family firm, and William and Charles have been making most of the decisions about, effectively taking Prince Andrew, out of public life, for example, and for a lot of the deal-making, which had to be done, frankly, when the Sussexes left the United Kingdom, what were the terms of that that was very much led by Prince William.

And, I think there was tension between Harry and Charles, they seem to smooth out over. There was a - they met up during the Jubilee, but they didn't - Harry didn't meet up with William, and there are still very firm tensions between those two. If they could come together through this, I think that would be a great tribute to the Queen.

We'll see how that plays out over the next 10-plus days, because there will be a series of events, involving the Family. It's all laid out very carefully. And, of course, those tensions should not take away attention, from what is the ultimate tribute to the Queen, which is going to be over the next few days.

And also looking ahead to the King's monarchy, focusing on him, and helping build his foundations, to a monarchy, which will take the United Kingdom onwards, for decades, potentially.

We are going to see a slightly different monarchy, I think, in the sense that there's an awareness that Charles isn't as popular as the Queen, as was, or Prince William. So, I think we're going to see Charles, and Camilla, and Kate and William, doing much more together. That's going to be the face of the monarchy, going forward.

COOPER: All right, Matthew Chance, Max Foster, I appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Joining us now, someone who has spent considerable time, up close with the Royal Family. Jayne Fincher was a Royal Photographer, for over 25 years. Now, the owner and editor of The Fincher Files.

Jayne, thanks for being with us. I'm sorry, it's under these circumstances.

You were really in a remarkable position, as a photographer, to observe the Royal Family, in ways that most of the public would never be able to do. I understand, it was actually Queen Elizabeth's sense of humor that that really resonated with you.

JAYNE FINCHER, FORMER ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR OVER 25 YEARS, OWNER AND EDITOR, THE FINCHER FILES: It did, actually, because she was more, like a little girl, a lot of the time. She can look very stern, and when she had her Queen Victoria face on, and we photographed her, she was very scary.

COOPER: Her Queen Victoria face?

FINCHER: Yes. She was very serious, and she was like Queen Victoria, and she was very scary. And if she gave you that look, you just try to disappear.

But she had this amazing sense of humor that often you wouldn't see because, on official duties, it's all very formal. But behind-the- scenes, she used to giggle a lot, like a little girl. And her whole face would just light up, when she saw something that was funny.

[21:20:00]

And she had a very, quite a simple sense of humor where, she would - she was more about laughing, at somebody tripping up, or very sort of slapstick humor, or official duty, something was going wrong, or someone's hat blew off, or whatever. It was quite funny, really, her sense of humor. And it was always a pleasure to photograph her, like that.

COOPER: You sent us some of your favorite photographs that you've taken of the Queen, over the years. Can you tell us about this one, showing Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen Mother, kneeling in, in front of what looks like a fence? I'm not sure where this was. What are you--

FINCHER: Well it was - it was back in the mid-70s, when I first started taking pictures, of Royal Family, as a young photographer. And it was pre the period of a lot of security coming in. It was easy days, when you could virtually walk right up to the Royal Family. And that actually is the public, directly behind them.

COOPER: Wow!

FINCHER: This is that little fence dividing the public. So can you imagine that today? Wouldn't have that happen. And they were at a horse show. And they were watching - they were - this is where their sense of humor comes in. They were sitting, on the ground, by a water jump, with a big lake. And lots of people kept falling off. And that was great entertainment to them. They loved it. And they're sitting on the floor. They're having a good old chat with mum and daughter.

COOPER: Wow!

FINCHER: And they're often seen sitting on the floor. It was just such an informal moment.

COOPER: That's interesting.

FINCHER: Very rare moment to get them like that.

COOPER: There's also this amazing series of photos that you took, with the Queen, in 1982, taking part in the Trooping of the Color, the ceremony with Prince Philip, Prince Charles, at her side, in pouring rain. FINCHER: Yes.

COOPER: Can you just talk us - tell us about that day?

FINCHER: Well, I think she really loved the rain, because that he - some of the nicest pictures, I ever got of her, is in the rain. And she was always smiling, in the rain. I think that's why she loved Balmoral, so much, because it's always wet and rainy out there.

And that particular day was the official ceremony of her birthday in June. But typical British weather. That's a June day, in London, sometimes. And she came out of the palace, on the horse, ready to do the ceremony.

And the heavens opened, and she just sat there, and got absolutely drenched. And it was just funny, watching her face, because it was going from sort of, you know, it was very comical, her face, and she just sat there. She looked like a drowned rat, which she just had to be like that, and she was like that, for about two hours. And--

COOPER: Were you absolutely drenched as well?

FINCHER: Well we all were drenched. I only got a few frames, because my lens was so misty and so wet, that most of the frames were unusable. But I love that picture. It's just - it's just she was so - she just loved the rain.

COOPER: Yes. You're also well-known for photographing Princess Diana. You were there, from the very beginning, when she and then Prince Charles got married, in 1981. You took incredible photos of them--

FINCHER: Yes.

COOPER: --on official trips, momentous occasions. During that time, what did you observe of Charles, and how do you think he will be as king?

FINCHER: Well, I actually knew Charles, from before Diana came on the scene, when he was the sort of Jack the Lad, young bachelor, about town, because he was - that was one of my first subjects that I photographed, as a young photographer. And I needed something to practice on, learning how to use a camera. And I used to go photographing, playing polo, every weekend, to practice--

COOPER: Ah!

FINCHER: --using a camera. And so, he was my pet subject. And he was - he was charming. He was really charming to me. And I got lots of lovely pictures of him. And over the years, we brought up a very good working relationship.

And I've traveled around the world with him. And he's - he's a very, he's a very gentle man, very concerned and very anxious about everything, and quite serious, takes everything very seriously. But again, has a sense of humor of his mother, has a great sense of humor, as his mother. COOPER: And he's certainly--

FINCHER: And--

COOPER: Has certainly been preparing, for this role his - really his--

FINCHER: Yes.

COOPER: --entire life.

FINCHER: Yes, a long time.

COOPER: Wow!

FINCHER: Yes, probably a very frustrating long time for him, got to being a bit - in a bit of sort of limbo with it. But I think he's, you know, he'll get stuck into it now. And, I think, it'd be quite hard, for him, actually, because he's quite, a headstrong person, who likes to follow his passions. So, he's going to have to curb some of that now.

COOPER: Yes.

FINCHER: So, it might be quite difficult for him.

COOPER: But before we go, I understand that you have two boys of your own, named William and Harry. Was that a coincidence?

FINCHER: Well, actually, they are family names, from my family, and I liked them.

COOPER: OK.

FINCHER: But, of course, everyone thinks that I've copied Charles and Diana, including Diana, who thought I'd copied her. And it doesn't matter how much I--

COOPER: You told her? She knew?

FINCHER: Yes, she did. It doesn't matter how much I explained that I didn't, nobody ever believes me so. And the funny thing is, I also have a niece and a nephew, called Charles and Elizabeth.

COOPER: Well, Jayne, it's really a delight to talk to you. And what a remarkable career, to have spent so long, seeing this family, up close, and through your lens.

FINCHER: It was fascinating, yes.

COOPER: Yes. It must have been.

FINCHER: Fascinating, yes.

COOPER: Thank you so much for being with us. I really appreciate it.

FINCHER: That's all right. Thank you. Thank you very much. COOPER: Take care.

[21:25:00]

Much more now, on the remarkable span of history, that Elizabeth the Second led the United Kingdom through, and the impact she made on it. It's just extraordinary, when you think about all the world events that she saw through the windows of Buckingham Palace, and Balmoral, and Windsor Castle, and was involved with.

Later, pro golf champion, Nick Faldo's memories of the Queen, and the moment she made him Sir Nick Faldo.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Before the break, we talked a bit about the late Queen's carefully-hidden sense of humor. Here's an example of it, with her grandson, Prince Harry, promoting the Invictus Games.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX: And the American man here was incredibly fast.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: He was very close (ph).

(RINGTONE)

PRINCE HARRY: Message, yes, from Michelle, how very amusing. Shall we watch it together?

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Yes.

PRINCE HARRY: Let's have a look.

MICHELLE OBAMA, FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Hey, Prince Harry? Remember when you told us to bring it at the Invictus Games?

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Careful what you wish for.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Boom!

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Oh really? Please.

PRINCE HARRY: Boom!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[21:30:00]

COOPER: From inviting television cameras, to her coronation, to embracing the mic drop, it has been quite a span of history, to be a part of.

More now, on some of the other key moments, from CNN's Tom Foreman. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Coming of age, at the end of World War II, with Europe in ruins, and her country nearly shattered, there was Elizabeth, a princess, just 21, with a birthday pledge, for her people.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.

FOREMAN (voice-over): On the throne that patient promise, with the help of historic figures, such as Winston Churchill, helped her rebuild the nation, and would guide her, through decades of turmoil.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: We could never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Whether navigating the troubles of Northern Ireland, the thorny issues of the Falklands War, in the early 1980s--

(GUNSHOTS)

FOREMAN (voice-over): --or seeing her own family, on more recent battlefields, the Queen has remained publicly and steadily committed to British allies.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Talk we will; listen we have to; disagree from time to time we may; but united we must always remain.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Over the many years there have been stumbles. In 1966, a mining disaster, in Wales, killed more than 100 schoolchildren, and dozens of adults. The Queen lingered more than a week, before visiting. Decades later, saying that delay was her biggest regret.

In 1992, Royal scandals and the rapidly failing marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana prompted the Queen to uncharacteristically call it a horrible year.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: It has turned out to be an "Annus Horribilis."

FOREMAN (voice-over): But when Diana died, the stoic Queen returned, to address the nation's grief.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile, and laugh, nor to inspire others, with her warmth and kindness.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Economic troubles, political turmoil, accusations of racism, within her family, even the global pandemic, she met it all the same way, she met virtually every challenge, of her 70-year reign.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: We should take comfort, that while we may have more still to endure, better days, will return. We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again. (END VIDEOTAPE)

FOREMAN: Sometimes, the Queen's reserve struck people, as being too old-fashioned, too restrained, for our modern more demonstrative times. Yet, she put her faith, clearly, in that phrase, from World War II that she grew up with. "Keep Calm and Carry On."

Anderson?

COOPER: Tom, thanks so much.

Few publications have - had as long and as storied history, covering the Royal Family than Vanity Fair. Radhika Jones is Editor in Chief. She joins us now.

It is extraordinary, that - and we were talking about this, right before you came on, that just how people kind of take for granted, she's a woman monarch, and has been there for 70 years. It's extraordinary. And it's to her credit that she has made it all seem so normal and easy.

RADHIKA JONES, EDITOR IN CHIEF, VANITY FAIR: I think that's right. I mean, when you think about how young she was, when she became queen, she raised a young family, in the public eye. She had to embrace wave after wave of new technology, starting with television, ending with social media.

COOPER: The decline of the British Empire as well.

JONES: Yes, the decolonization, and the shrinking of the British Empire, all of these things that sort of happened on her watch. And throughout, here's this woman, who very calmly is holding her own, with Winston Churchill, and 14 more prime ministers, meeting with 13 of the U.S. presidents, out of the 14, whose reign coincided with of her own.

And I feel like, it's just interesting to think about, seeing this woman, in this position of influence, and power, all of this time? We're not going to see that again, in the British Monarchy, for quite a while, because Charles is now King, and William will be king, and George will be king.

And the Queen, as that figure, in the crowd, wearing pastel green, or pastel blue, or dressing to be seen, dressing to be the sort of object of fascination that she knew she was, it had a very unique power to it. And we have known nothing but that for 70 years.

COOPER: And in a male-dominated society--

JONES: Right.

COOPER: --as Great Britain was certainly, when the Queen ascended to the throne.

JONES: Right.

COOPER: And she has - she has lasted longer than any of them.

[21:35:00]

JONES: Right, exactly. I mean, you think about her cultural influence. She's on - literally on the currency, but she's also on an Andy Warhol silkscreen. She's the subject of shows and documentaries that are still drawing huge audiences.

People have been fascinated with her all this time. And, I think, part of it is has been her ability, to change. I mean, on the one hand, there's the criticism that she's too old-fashioned. On the other hand, she's been doing her job, publicly, for 70 years. That is a long time to be--

COOPER: Yes.

JONES: --in that kind of spotlight, and to have to adjust and adapt. And she's learned from mistakes.

COOPER: Well that's what you--

JONES: Which I think is so interesting.

COOPER: Which is such an important thing, I think that you're pointing out that she recalibrated. After the mining disaster, she realized, "Oh, this was a mistake of me not going there sooner." And certainly, with Princess Diana, that was a tremendous mistake that she admitted.

JONES: Right. And you sort of see them happening in real-time. I mean, some of them in our lifetimes, some of them not. But, I think, it's to her credit, that she, sometimes maybe a little late, but she would acknowledge, when she felt she had made a misstep, and change.

And I think that you see that not just in her role, as Queen, but also in the sort of the rest of the family, the way that William and Kate, for example, sort of have embraced a slightly more public life.

COOPER: Do you think - do you think with King Charles, King William, when that time comes, or whatever name he will use, as king, I mean can the Monarchy have the same sort of - can a Monarch have the same distance that she had, given that we know lots more about Prince Charles, or King Charles now. We know certainly know more about William, and his problems with Harry, and all of that.

JONES: I think that is absolutely the question. And, I think, it was the question, for her, even in 1952, when she became queen. She became queen, at the time that television was ascendant. And there was this question, "Well, can you be a monarch, if you're not sort of letting people in, or broadcasting out?" Her coronation, famously, was almost fully broadcast. And that was a great change.

COOPER: Yes.

JONES: So, I think that - I think that that is exactly - in a way that question is traditional in itself, right?

COOPER: Yes, it's interesting.

JONES: Like, how does the Monarchy have to continue to adapt, if it is going to survive--

COOPER: Yes.

JONES: --and thrive?

COOPER: Radhika Jones, thank you so much, really appreciate it.

JONES: Thank you for having me.

COOPER: Yes, from Vanity Fair.

Just ahead, legendary pro golfer, Nick Faldo, became Sir Nick, when he was knighted by the Queen, more than a decade ago. He'll join us, with his memories, of that day, with Queen Elizabeth, next.

[21:40:00]

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COOPER: Last hour, we spoke with one of the many notable celebrities, who were fortunate enough, to meet Queen Elizabeth.

Katherine Jenkins, a world-famous opera singer, said the wave, she got from Her Majesty, at her Platinum Jubilee performance, was an emotional highlight, of her career that she'd always treasure.

Our next guest knows that feeling as well. Sir Nick Faldo was awarded a knighthood, in 2009, after one of the greatest professional golf careers, in British history. He won the Masters, in the British Open each three times. Earlier this year, he called it his proudest moment.

Sir Nick Faldo joins us now.

Thanks so much, for being with us. And I'm sorry, it's under these circumstances. But can you walk us through that moment of being knighted by the Queen? What is that like?

SIR NICK FALDO, ENGLISH RETIRED PROFESSIONAL GOLFER, KNIGHTED BY QUEEN ELIZABETH II: It was one of the most wonderful days. I was very fortunate, my investiture was at Windsor Castle. So, you can imagine the grandeur of that was quite incredible. You got red carpets. You've got soldiers, with old metal breastplates. You've got Yeomen of the Guard.

And I got siphoned, and I had my children with me, and I was siphoned off to the Kings and Queens Room, to start the kind of that rehearsal. You imagine, immediately, walking out an enormous room, and you got 20-foot-high oil paintings of our kings and queens, the last hundreds of years.

And then, their most wonderful commander, you imagine that fabulous outfits, their uniform was perfection. And they walked us through the ceremony. And I just loved how British it was. Because he said, you walk forward, and your place your shoulder, against Gordon's chest, and you hit folder (ph), you will walk forward, turn, face Her Majesty, it'll be gentleman neck bow, ladies curtsy, walk forward, take a knee, and take a knee on the kneeling stool.

And we actually rehearsed kneeling on the kneeling stool, because I looked at this stool, because he could think - because they will - they were very good, and very clever wine (ph) and he went through the whole procedure, so far, so rapid, everyone thought, "Oh, my goodness." And he did it again. And then he did it deliberately, and then he did it again in slow motion.

But I thought it was quite funny because we got the kneeling stone. And I looked at this like a kid and thought, I like the long jump, do I start left, right, left, right, or do I go right, left, because you got to put your left foot - yes, you got to put your left foot to the side first, and place your knees. It's because we don't want anybody, going over to - on to the dais that he winds you all up.

And then the best bit - the thing I thought was so wonderfully British, so, you take your knee, and he said, "And then the sword will be placed on your right shoulder, nothing is said. And then the sword's placed on your left shoulder, nothing is said. And you'll stand to the side. Her Majesty will place the medal. Nothing is said. She will then retrieve to disperse up the sword, and come up, and then, then you only speak when Her Majesty speaks. And then it's conversation, conversation, conversation, conversation." I thought just a British thing (ph). So that was it and another funny bit--

COOPER: It sounds so stressful.

FALDO: Yes. It was. He did great.

COOPER: I mean, remembering all these things would be so stressful.

FALDO: He did a wonderful job. He really winded you up, and I felt (ph) deal with some stress, in my time. But this is kind of different.

And the other thing I felt, which was very strange, where - there was a wonderful, the sword, Her Majesty's wave back. I mean, if you pull up a picture, I've got big grin, on my face, because this sword comes at you from afar (ph) away. So, you see. So, that was my first thing was "Wow!" to see that.

And then - and then the funny bit was, as you mentioned, there was a - what is arm doing now? And to everybody I just been doing a couple of years of TV. So, I'd always go, "I'm talking golf now. I'm talking golf," so this time, as soon as I said, when I'm talking - I can feel my arm going, I'm like - I'm like, no, you can't talk do that. You can't tell them, you're talking golf, Her Majesty (ph).

So, that was my moment, and then you - and then you head off, and then suddenly wallop, you realize what has happened.

COOPER: Yes. FALDO: So, it was a--

COOPER: You also had - you had a private--

FALDO: --it was a wonderful--

(CROSSTALK)

[21:45:00]

COOPER: --you had a private luncheon, at Buckingham Palace, with the Queen, in 1992.

FALDO: Yes.

COOPER: There were only a couple other people there.

FALDO: That was probably the most unique thing, because I was told during that luncheon that Her Majesty hadn't done this, for about 25 years. So, I got a - I got a request, whatever, an invitation rather, out of the blue. And it was - actually it was so funny because it fell on the day I actually became world number one. And so, it must have been after one that Open in middle of summer of '92.

And there I am at Buckingham. And I arrived in a mess, and I'm straightening my tie, on the reflection, on the window, of the car. And the guards was - the doorman (ph) was looking at me, and I guess one doesn't do know, so one does (ph). So, in you go. And we went all the way through Buckingham Palace, to the far room, and overlooking the gardens, at the back.

And the most amazing thing, the corgis, you hear the corgis, coming down the hallway, and then the corgis coming first. And then Her Majesty comes in. And then we chatted about golf courses. And she was off - and I was actually at a project. I was trying to build a golf course. And she's "Well I'm all for people using the land." They said, and I said (ph), well can I tell the town councilors that Her Majesty approved?

And then, the funny thing, and I know all the ladies will want to know, at lunch, Her Majesty, in a little handbag gets a - gets a little compact out, and checks her lipstick, and just--

COOPER: So, that's what's in her handbag? Everyone wants to know what's in her handbag, always.

FALDO: Everyone wants to know what's in her handbag. And it was just one lipstick - was her lipstick, and her mirror. So, that's all. I was there, I saw that. So yes, that was a - that was an extremely rare unique experience.

COOPER: Yes.

FALDO: So, that was very, very special to me.

COOPER: Yes. FALDO: And we're all in these reminiscing.

COOPER: Well it's nice to be able to reminisce, and with humor, and with affection, and what an extraordinary experience--

FALDO: Yes.

COOPER: --to have had. One has done a wonderful job, tonight, Nick Faldo, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

FALDO: Sure. Appreciate you. Thank you all.

COOPER: You take care.

FALDO: Thank you.

COOPER: In just a few minutes, CNN will air a special report, "A Queen for the Ages: Queen Elizabeth the Second." It's an in-depth look at her life, her legacy, the United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch.

Here, her decision to televise her coronation in 1952.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Preparations got underway for the coronation, the ceremony where Elizabeth would be officially crowned and anointed Queen. One question loomed large over the plans. Would the coronation be broadcast on television?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When it was suggested to the Queen, she was very much against it. She thought that cameras would be intrusive, that they would somehow violate the 1000-year tradition of the coronation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whilst the Queen was a traditionalist, she was also open to modernization. And in the end, it was her husband, who convinced her, to allow cameras, into the ceremony.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One of the great things about the Queen was that she always had an open mind. If someone came to her with an argument that was very well-buttressed, she would listen. And if it was a persuasive argument, she would change her mind. And that's what she did with the coronation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The day of the coronation, millions of people across the globe, watched the sacred ceremony.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was the moment when the whole of the nation, the whole of the Commonwealth, arguably the whole world, recognized her as Queen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is your Majesty willing to take the oath?

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: I am willing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a very solemn ceremony, and it was so meaningful, to Elizabeth. She took her vows, so seriously. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Her vows to God. She's made this lifelong commitment. So, it all goes back to that moment, doesn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm absolutely certain that the reason she never abdicated, was because she made that commitment to God in that solemn ceremony of her coronation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: So fascinating! CNN Special Report, "A Queen for the Ages: Queen Elizabeth the Second," airs in just a few minutes, at 10 PM Eastern.

Coming up next, right now, a big development, in the Justice Department's fight for records, including classified materials, seized by the FBI, at Mar-a-Lago. Earlier this week, a Florida judge sided with the former President, agreed to a Special Master, delaying its probe. Tonight, the Department has appealed.

We have details, next.

[21:50:00]

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COOPER: CNN's coverage, of the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth will continue, in just a moment. However, we want to take a quick minute to report on an important development, in the Justice Department's investigation, of the former President.

Hours ago, the Department of Justice appealed the decision, of a Florida judge, who earlier, this week, handed the former President, and his legal team, a victory, in their tug of war, over materials, including classified documents, seized by the FBI, at his Florida residence, last month.

Our Senior Justice Correspondent, Evan Perez, joins us now, with details.

So talk about this Justice Department appeal. What does it entail?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, there's two parts of this.

On one hand, the Justice Department is saying that they're going to appeal, to the Eleventh Circuit, which sits in Atlanta, the entire order that she gave on Monday. But, at the same time, they're asking her to put on hold, at least a part of her order, which barred the Justice Department, barred the FBI, from continuing to look at all these documents.

And specifically, they're asking about the 100 classified documents that they say just by the fact that they are classified cannot possibly be personal items of the former President. They have to be governed records. I'll read you just a part of it. It says here, "There is no justification for extending the injunction and special-master review to the classified records. The classification markings establish on the face of the documents that they are government records," not Donald Trump's personal records.

[21:55:00]

And so, what they're asking her to do is just to let the FBI continue doing the investigation that they're supposed to be doing, Anderson.

COOPER: We also have new information, about the government's security review, of the documents, today.

PEREZ: Right. We learned from this court filing tonight that the Justice Department, and the Intelligence Community have had to pause this risk assessment. And what they say is that could cause irreparable harm to the national security of the United States.

The FBI is part of the Intelligence Community, Anderson. And so, the prosecutors are saying, look, if the FBI can't continue to look at these documents, then that means they can't help the Intelligence Community, do the assessment, and perhaps try to mitigate any problems that may come from the fact that these documents were being held, in an insecure place, unsecure place, in Mar-a-Lago, and that they may have been seen by someone that should not have been able to see them.

Anderson, we now know, by the way that the judge has ordered the Trump legal team, to respond, by Monday, 10 AM, to what the Justice Department is asking.

And, by the way, we still have a deadline, tomorrow, for the two sides to present a list of names, for the Special Master that is going to be doing a review for potential privileged material. That of course, we don't know whether the two sides will even agree, given the broad disagreement they have, over this issue.

COOPER: Evan Perez, appreciate the update. Thanks so much.

Stay with CNN, for continued coverage, as we remember the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth. The remarkable CNN Special Report, "A Queen for the Ages: Elizabeth The Second," is next right after this short break.

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